WHY DID STAFFER OF TEXAS CONGRESSMAN IMMOLATE HERSELF?

Mystery deepens over aide who set herself on fire as congressman cancels events and police withhold records

 

By Maryann Martinez 

 

Daily Mail

Oct 2, 2025

 

U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-San Antonio, gives an interview in his office at Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, D.C., on April 28, 2023

 

After one of his staffers died from dousing herself with gasoline and catching fire, a Texas Congressman has canceled all media events - seemingly to avoid questions about her death. 

Regina Santos-Aviles, 35, poured gasoline on herself before she became engulfed in flames at her home on September 13 in Uvalde, Texas - about two hours outside of San Antonio. 

The married mother of one, who was separated from her husband according to the San Antonio Express News, had worked for Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales as regional district director since 2021.

'The last thing she said is, "I don’t want to die,"' Aviles' mother Nora Gonzales told the Express News. 

She was airlifted to San Antonio, where she died at the hospital the next day.

Investigators have yet to determine her cause of death, with the medical examiner telling Daily Mail Thursday that the autopsy results are still pending.

However, Uvalde police believe she was alone in her backyard when she started to burn, according to the Express News, who reported her death as a self-immolation. 

Days after her death, the media was disinvited to an event where Gonzales would be face-to-face with reporters. 

Gonzales had been scheduled to visit Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio for the opening of a new research facility September 22.

 

Santos-Aviles's mother, Nora Ann Gonzales, described the incident as a tragic accident and that her daughter's final words were: 'I don't want to die,' according to the San Antonio Express News

 

While he still attended the event, the facility notified the media they were no longer welcome, according to the local TV station. 

Gonzales' office did provide a statement about this staffer's passing.

'We are all heart-stricken by the recent news. Regina devoted her profession toward making a difference in her community,' Gonzales' statement to Daily Mail reads.

'She will always be remembered for her passion towards Uvalde and helping the community become a better place.'

The release of public records related to the Congressional aide's death have been blocked by the Uvalde Police Department. 

In a letter to the Daily Mail and other media outlets, the cops leading the investigation into Aviles' death explain they will not release public records, including the 911 call, any video or police reports related to Aviles' burning.

Despite records being released to the media on a regular basis involving crimes that are under investigation, Uvalde police said they would withhold the records and make their case to the state Attorney General that he should keep them secret.

 

Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, leaves a House Republican Conference candidate forum for speaker meeting in Longworth Building on Tuesday, October 10, 2023

In a letter to the Daily Mail and other media outlets, the Uvalde Police Department informs it will not release public records related to the death of Congressional aide Regina Santos-Aviles 

She is survived by her husband, Adrian (right), and their son, Axel. Her obituary described her as 'a devoted mother, a loving daughter, sister, and wife and a loyal friend'

She was found engulfed in flames at her Uvalde home (pictured) on September 13. Investigators determined she was home alone at the time

The 'cozy' relationship between Uvalde's police chief and Gonzales has recently been called into question by a city councilman. 

Ernest Santos, a Uvalde elected official, told the local paper he considered it inappropriate for Police Chief Homer Delgado to endorse Gonzales, who is currently running for re-election.

Gonzales' district includes, San Antonio, Uvalde, and stretches out west to El Paso.

'And unfortunately, look at what happened,' Santos told the Express News. 'Here we have a chief of police endorsing this candidate, and we have this happen with an employee of Tony Gonzales. We must remain neutral. We need to make sure we do everything by the book.'

Gonzales campaign has since removed a flyer bragging about the police chief's endorsement for the congressman.